Norway’s King Harald V dies at 89 and his son becomes King Haakon VIII

Live updates

1. 17d ago

   King Harald V of Norway dies at 89; Haakon VIII ascends throne

   King Harald V of Norway died Friday at 89, ending a 35-year reign. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, has become King Haakon VIII. Tens of thousands of mourners gathered outside the royal palace in Oslo on Saturday and Sunday to leave flowers and condolence cards. The new monarch, 53, has adopted the motto "All for Norway," a phrase used by his great-grandfather. World leaders and European monarchs have issued statements mourning the death of Europe's oldest monarch.

   Why it matters

   Harald V spent time in exile in the United States as a child during the Nazi occupation of Norway. He was known for redefining royal traditions, including his decision to marry his school sweetheart, Sonja, in 1968 after refusing other noblewomen.

   What is confirmed

   • King Harald V died Friday at age 89.
   • King Harald V reigned for 35 years.
   • Crown Prince Haakon has become King Haakon VIII.
   • King Haakon VIII is 53 years old.
   • Tens of thousands of people left flowers and cards at the royal palace in Oslo.
   • King Harald V was the oldest monarch in Europe.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Oslo mayor cancelled their own wedding due to the king's death.
   • King Haakon VIII's tasks include stabilizing the Scandinavian region.

   What to watch next

   • Official funeral arrangements and dates for King Harald V
   • Formal coronation ceremonies for King Haakon VIII
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. BBC — Norway's royal family gathers at King Harald's bedside as his condition worsens
   2. CNN — King Harald V of Norway, Europe’s oldest monarch, dies after 35 years on the throne
   3. The New York Times — Harald V, Norway’s King as Tradition and Modernity Collided, Dies at 89
   4. The New York Times — Who Is Haakon, Norway’s New King?
   5. AP News — Norway’s King Harald V dies at 89 and his son becomes King Haakon VIII
   6. BBC — Oslo mayor cancels own wedding after death of Norway's king
   7. KSL News — Norway's crown prince becomes King Haakon VIII after his father's death
   8. WOODTV.com — West Michigan tourists in Norway as country mourns ‘hugely loved’ king
   9. www.yahoo.com — King Harald V of Norway Dies at 89 as Son Haakon Becomes King
   10. Inquirer.net — Europe’s monarchs, world leaders mourn Norway’s King Harald
   11. www.tpr.org — Norway's King Harald V dies at 89 and his son becomes King Haakon VIII
   12. krcgtv.com — Norway's King Harald V dies at 89, his son becomes King Haakon VIII
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